The recent government shutdown has caused hardship for many families. When paychecks stop coming it can be difficult to make ends meet and sometimes we have to make the very difficult decision of what to do with our pets. Whether you have been affected by the recent shutdowns or not, hardship can hit us all. An unexpected injury, lay off, or personal tragedy can leave resources strained. When it comes to the decision to feed our families or keep our pets, many people make the understandable decision to surrender Fluffy or Fido. Here in Colorado, though, there are resources available to help keep the whole family together.

Organizations such as Harley’s Hope are ready to provide financial assistance in the event of unexpected vet bills, or sudden unemployment. Also, if your family is facing relocation or an emergency situation, temporary foster homes can be arranged to keep your pet safe while you get back on your feet.

Additionally, there are local Pet Pantries. These are food banks for pets which work very similarly to food banks for people. There are 23 food banks within Colorado which provide food to struggling families so pets can stay at home. To find the one closest to you, go to coloradopetpantry.org. These organizations also accept donations of food and care items.

Financial hardships are not the only type. Sometimes people can become temporarily or permanently disabled and struggle to support a pet. In cases such as that, the Colorado State University runs the Pets Forever program which helps with in-home care, dog walking, and transportation to vet appointments.

Colorado is a welcoming home for people and pets alike. The above examples are just a sampling of the available services in our beautiful state. If you find yourself in a difficult situation, don’t give up hope. Reach out; there are more people willing to help than you may realize.